Fun with words

I do confess, I am enjoying playing with this...

Newsnight neologisms needed

'Proxymoron' went down well, though 'enviROI' and 'helicopter environmentalists' passed without trace.

So I have lobbed a few more into the literary frag pit to see what might get flushed.

'Revoltaire' - New era democratic rallying concept, often supported and even promoted by soem who know what's best for us in the MSM ; 'We may not agree with what you say, but we will sort of tolerate it... so long as you are not an Israeli/BNP/[insert folk that you really... really don't agree with and hence reckon need silencing here]'.

Which is an odd caveat from those seeking to be seen as credible libertarians. But usually they are those as dogmatic and convinced of their rectitude as those they oppose.

So, to 'a little bit pregnant' I guess we need to add 'freeishdom of speech'.
complain about this comment

'Enhancing the narrative'
'Interpreting events'
'Emerging truths'

The first two are mechanisms by which objective facts can be passed through a special process managed by those who 'know better' to ensure 'news' is shared in a way that those it gets presented to get to think 'more correctly' about it all.

Often, when it really rather flies in the face of clear evidence, and may in fact be unsupportable, it can still be assisted to the point that it becomes an 'emerging truth'.

Poohbahood - the act of seeking, conferring and/or being conferred with ever longer and more daft un-earned, unwarranted titles in an attempt to confer long lost respectability and reverence, but which actually fools, and impresses few outside a very small world. And probably just makes things worse.

As in...

The Right Honourable Baron Mandelson of Foy in the County of Herefordshire and Hartlepool in the County of Durham, First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills and Lord President of the Council.

NKorean leader's son is 'Brilliant Comrade'

"Grandiose titles are part of a tradition to stimulate public support in a nation where the media is tightly controlled and little information about the inner workings of the government is available."

Boxtickocracy, Beancounterhood & Targetmeetering - All complementing versions of the same, less than startlingly successful form of nu-governance whereby anything tangible and/or possibly useful is suborned to simply looking like things are going to be done, being done and will be done as opposed to dedicating any funds or personnel to actually just doing a good job in the first place.

Interestingly, it seems that these systems all seem to cost a lot more to implement and run, and despite this are actually self-generating by virtue of limitless funds on tap (if now on the 'never never' - thanks, kids) and a culture of zero accountability, no responsibility and 'Whocaresaboutability?' (oo, another one) so long as the right boxes are ticked, targets are met and ... you get the picture.

For the people, of the people, slipped by the people

Newsnight

7. At 6:45pm on 02 Jun 2009, ginadean wrote:
Please could someone explain how Mandleson who is not elected nor an MP could possible be put forward for a top job as forgien secretary in a reshuffle of the cabinet, again not elected?

Very good question. However, the answer might be a tad 'unique' for some in the MSM to feel like asking, much less answering.

Be afraid, be very afraid

Just had to write to SKY...

I note from your news interview that Peter 'Call me Lord' M, says 'He's not going to have people...'

In light of the slide in democracy, freedom of speech and legal process he and his fellow GOATs have and still are overseeing, does he know something the rest of us don't... yet?

Addenda (as they seem to fit):

Guardian - While we suffer, the box-tickers will continue to prosper

Times - The toothbrush fairy: a £3,000 council non-job

It ain't what you do, it's the way you're allowed to do it..

Bank is furious - not merely "puzzled"

Is there anyone he has not offended or nothing he and his cabal have not stirred up? Working out well again, I'd say.

Ah well, can't complain, as a democratically elec... oh, dear.

There, there, Aunty will make it sound better

You just have to love how dumb some think the public is.

Mandelson accepts tycoon claims
Lord Mandelson confirms in a letter to the Times that he met Oleg Deripaska earlier than previously acknowledged.

Now why can't our objective national broadcaster summon up the cojones, or even journalistic/editorial integrity to suggest, in print, that 'accepting a claim' that had not been 'previously acknowledged' 'earlier' rather smacks of a pol being caught telling a whopping porkie and only when cornered facing up to it.

A bit like some other media, who we don't have to co-fund... or else.

Another for the 'Truthiness Files' of 'interesting wasy of articulating something so as to avoid it being, as such, accurate, whilst trying to claim it is.

'I accept that what I have been held to account on now is not what was previously acknowledged'. Try popping that in George W's famous quote: 'Father, I cannot tell a [ ]'

Three Men in a Boat. And Aunty

If Mr. Osborne decided to fry his career and drop his party in the fire over an illegal £50k bung from a dodgy Russian he deserves all he gets.

However, before I try and figure out what else is going on 'out there' from between the lines of the rest of the ratings-chasing Westminster Village Useful Idiot media, with a national audience now well-primed by a certain national broadcaster, I so far have this from BBC Breakfast News:

The 'evidence', as outlined by a single wheeled-in studio 'expert' of uncertain objectivity: A bloke says another bloke asked another bloke in his hearing for an illegal donation... that did not transpire and hence serve anyone's interests... whilst they were all on a boat. And he has... a 'witness' (two against one=proof? In this murky world?). The second bloke denies this. That, so far, is it... what 'might' have happened is about as loose as it gets, and what didn't happen is in no doubt. This is NEWS???

Meanwhile, on possibly the same boat, a bloke in power and a current position of influence has conversations with a bloke... whose business interests (and hence incentive to take sides) end up gaining from the very outfit employing this first powerful person at the time.

Meanwhile, I am unsure on which dinghy half of Labour met Bernie E all that time ago, but I am sure the BBC will not find this of relevance either.

I am disgusted with the way ALL our media is trying to shape our mindsets in such a crass ratings or agenda-driven partisan manner, free of any hint of journalistic ethics or editorial objectivity.

But at least I can surf between them and drop those I don't rate, and certainly not support them with my money (bar a few extra visitor clicks).

I don't appear to have this option with the largest, and most pervasive of all. Why?

At the moment Mr. Osborne would appear to the chatterati to be at best a good excuse for a headline or at worst Sarah Palin's secret boyfriend.

As with a load of others Mr. Osbourne's judgement in a 'perceptions' era is pretty suspect and he is paying the consequences, but that these others are getting a free pass while he does is nothing sort of gob-smacking.

My life seems in the control of an unelected, unaccountable media elite (one of which I am forced to fund) that is itself out of control, and I am seeing the rather flawed 'but it's the best we have' concept of democracy being eroded in front of my very eyes as a consequence.

At least I can, for now, vote (no idea who FOR, but 'ENABL' (Enough, Now; Anything But Labour) is a cert for who NOT) out a shambles of a government, but tell me please how I have a say that counts in what happens to their state PR department?

Forget the bad joke that is Newswatch. Forget cookie-cutter issuing Complaints. Forget the most mis-named entity in the world: the Trust. And all the other options I have seen suggested are either the actual entity the BBC supports, or is beholden to them.

And no, I don't fancy not paying the fee... yet. It's illegal and gets me a fine or record, which I can't afford.

Newsnight - another friggin' 'gate' to chew on

Telegraph - Safe holiday destinations: a users-guide for Tory MPs

Indy - Exclusive (apparently): Osborne fights for political life

Gaurdian - Three men in a boat (to say nothing of the media mogul)

Guardian - The Corfu set

BBC - Duelling gentlemen

'The Tory party have been encouraging Tory newspapers and others, including the BBC – and we have resisted it so far – to make a lot of Peter Mandelson’s stay on a Russian billionaire’s yacht'

Have 'we' indeed?

Never mind, Mr. Robinson, for those suggesting the current 'day-job' is proving a trial, I just saw a re-run of 'Have I Got News For You'.

You can just sit there and get paid... and make fun* of others! And it's still on Aunty's dime.

Cushy.

*Though you do have to speak. And be funny.

Indy - What possessed Osborne to pick a fight with Mandelson?

Much as I can see how this little spat can amuse and give fuel the Usual Useful Westminster Village Idiots, does anyone else share my concern that a senior member of government revels in, and is lauded for his ability to mount spiteful campaigns to 'deal' with upstarts in the slime pit he inhabits?

Today's Indy cartoon is rare in pointing this out, and excellent in this regard.

But it's no way to run a country, and encourage it to be run...IMHO.

Indy - A full investigation is the last thing the Government needs

"This is a very serious matter," he said, "and I hope it is investigated by the authorities" - the PM's spokesman was entirely at a loss to explain this. Legally there's nothing to investigate. Even the "serious matter" was in doubt. What were the allegations?

And this... is who is in charge of my country? I will be interested in how many other major media note this latest example of 'inastatesmanship'.

Spectator - Osborne Stumbles: But Is There A Bigger Story About Mandelson?

Mail - While the BBC's knives are out for Osborne, Mandy is getting away with murder

Telegraph - George Osborne affair: the triumph of venal politics...

...added and abetted by some of us scurrilous denizens of the blogosphere...

I would like to take this opportunity to applaud many noble members of the blogosphere for taking to task most Westminster Village Useful Idiot gossip and tripe and suggesting a few paid, 'professional' members of the 4th estate stop telling us 'wot they 'fink' about what might or might not be, and get back to a bit of, oh, I don't know, non-partisan, ratings-driven, journalism based on what is, backed by facts.

The Editors - Storm over Corfu

At risk of being accused of not offering a skilled argument, I have read this 'justification' whilst watching the stern of a horse in a field over yonder, and what has just poured forth from the latter will at least serve the rhubarb, if not comparing in volume and aroma.

I look forward to a minion being shipped in to Newswatch at dawn to read it out again to Mrs. Noddy.

Telegraph - The BBC defends its hounding of George Osborne

Telegraph - Doesn't 'Yachtgate' give you that sinking feeling? - Plus tense: sunk

Another 'Gate' opens..

Problems in the post for Mandelson

'..well he was cleared of any wrongdoing..'

What a trooper. I am always curious as to how, when, against or for whom, by whom and to what volume this phrase gets applied. It is, of course, deliciously ambiguous, providing almost anyone (including, and maybe especially the protagonist) the opportunity to make of it what they will. And hence has little value.

We are in an era of impressions. For instance, there may not be anything wrong for a senior Eurocrat enjoying the hospitality of a host whose interests are subsequently well served, but to those not invited on a daily basis to private islands or yachts it just looks as it smells.

But I guess its just down to one's political leanings when it comes to which gates get opened to see what horse might be persuaded to bolt into the traffic.

Telegraph - Why didn't the BBC report the Mandelson story?

Yes, is Sophie Rayworth now hanging on a hook in Andrew Marr's basement so he can show his dinner guests how they deal with those who don't foloow the party line?

I have got a bit fed up with penning 'Angry of Mayfair' (or, in my case, 'Cross of Ross') blogs on this.

How the heck does one go to to get some action? I don't like and don't want to pay for propaganda, especially under threat of fine.

I bumped into my MP t'other day. He's off next election so couldn't give a monkeys, so the Conservative and Lib Dem PPC's gunning for his slot can tell me what they'd do.

Any BBC mechanism is hardly worth thinking about, from the joke that is Newswatch through template-issuing 'Complaints' to the most woefully named entity in the world; The Trust.

My MP suggested The DCMS Secretary of State, but as this is an entity employed by the very outfit writing too many PR... er... news items for the BBC and its tame mouthpieces, and knows my vote is a lost cause, I suspect that is an unproductive line of attack.

Any suggestions that might make a darn difference? If the mounting unrest I am coming across, and often overt rumblings in many major media (even the Grauniad for heaven's sake) is anything to go by, it will need something pretty special to shake this uniquely funded institution out of its total self-belief that it can act any way it wishes... and get away with it.

Just call me, Lord

Andrew Marr Show - sans its 'hero'. No bad thing.

Maybe not having dinner partners interview politicians is a good thing.

Go, Sophie!

If Peter 'Just call me Lord' M is an example of a government of all the talents being reassembled, Lord help us.

In several minutes of utter waffle, I could find no evidence of a fine mind or an ability to communicate, and whose final comments on his best buddy and unsubtle partisan ('you are just being Tory press smearing me if you question my judgement') lashings out betray a total lack of credibility, humility and sense of reality.

Times - Lord Mandelson flies high with hedge funder

Times - The secret world of Lord Freebie

Ouch!

On more than one occasion I have had occasion to question the abilities and/or motivations of our major commentariat.

Thanks to a person with a spectacular memory and awesome filing system, I think I know why...

Brown shows he can forgive and forget

Specifically:

GoldenAxe
Oct 03 08, 1:23pm

Oh, and who said:

"who can now doubt that the macho spin-machine created by Campbell and Mandelson has been horrifically damaging for Labour and for the reputation of politics generally?

and this

But like so much that Mandelson gets involved with, you don't feel you are getting the facts straight. For once, the Tories have it right: the word "slippery" seems highly appropriate for this arch plotter.

Hello Jackie!

Superb. In an age of commentary and opinion elevated way beyond rational value, it is nice to see a simple dish of facts served cold and hard.

One hopes that, with pieces like this being added to the body of work on the CV, others in the family will be there to cover the mortgage... and banner. Oh.

The owners and brand guardians of the paper must be so proud.

Newsnight - Reshuffle Questions

Why does the expression 'A few Jokers short of a deck' spring to mind in this context?

While, to be fair, the same holds true elsewhere. Why is it that, with 30M able-bodied adults to choose from in the UK, we seem to be subjected to the same, limited selection, from the same stagnant pool time after time.

Looking at the punditry being cranked out on this, especially, Oh, Lord, Mr. Mandelson, I am struck by the disconnect between 'in-Village' and the real world, with talk already of 'giving chances,' 'has grudging respect of peers,' etc.

No matter how you try to intellectualise it all, the possible brainpower of aspirant leaders is not much good if no one fancies following them. Tricky finding the calibre required of course, as I am minded of the notion that the right person for the job would not be in their right mind to apply, much less accept it, these days.

I have a vision of a plucky khaki crew on the Western political front. At the head our Dear Leader crying 'Charge... I am the one to sort this out!' as... if... when he emerges from the bunker to stick his head over the parapet, reluctantly followed by a few who really have no choice not to and are all out of options. With a few chatterati cheerleaders back in a chateau a wee bit further behind the lines, penning some more cheering them on.

Meanwhile the rest of us in the trench are just hunkering down, hoping we can hang on until there's a vote.

Gaurdian - 'Masterstroke, or desperation?'

Ooooo, tricky one. Let me see, based on past strokes of the master...

Gaurdian - Mandelson is back where he belongs

I know I am not a skilled, well paid spinmeister, but I have to say headlining a piece '...back where he belongs.' in any context these days, but especially a political one, a labour political one at that, and with a character whose past is so 'colourful', seems a well interesting choice.

Guardain - O brother, here art thou

Gaurdian - This 1997 tribute band is out of tune with our times -

Speaking as you do, of a 'Government of All the Talents'.

The Minister for Dark Arts arrives and... coincidentally, time for a GOAT sacrifice or two.

The Party must be soooo proud.

Must be fun being a headhunter for high office types these days.

'Must be capable of swallowing pride, kissing ass, principles and career goodbye... for the cause, you understand'.

That'll get the quality guys in.

ps: 'The Bootleg Soclialists?'

You hum 'em, I'll play 'em.

Telegraph - Peter Mandelson 3: The Return of the King

Times - The Cabinet reshuffle: supergroup, or a sad tribute act?

It's Friday; I'm allowed

Just got round to reading up on the new appointees to our Government front row.

Including one 'interesting' character.

We were told of 'a government of all the talents'.

But to be fair, no one specified what those 'talents' might be.

I am sure Mr. Mandelson's record speaks for itself.